Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital secures $66m for nursing staff
The government commits $66 million to fund 85 new nursing positions after initially refusing to staff 20 promised beds.
Twenty new beds at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital were promised in 2018 but threatened to sit empty. The problem: no money to hire nurses.
Staff protested, signs went up around the emergency department, and pay negotiations stalled. Last month, hospital sources told the ABC the new beds could not open without staffing funds.
After public pressure, the Victorian government reversed course and committed $66 million for 85 full-time nursing positions, including up to 25 graduate nurses. The beds will open in December, fully staffed.
Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said every bed would open from day one.
- $66 million
- Funding secured
- 85 full-time equivalent
- New nursing positions
- 13,000
- Additional children per year
- Up to 25
- Graduate nurses included
Why it mattersNew beds mean the hospital can treat about 13,000 more children a year needing emergency care, easing pressure on a facility already stretched thin.
AustraliaVictoria's children's emergency services capacity increases significantly; longer waits at the Royal Children's Hospital should ease as new beds open.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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